Feeds

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A black calf with a red ear tag and grain crumbs on its nose looks at the camera, as other calves feed around it

SDSU Extension to host webinar on backgrounding calves

December 15, 2023

Backgrounding Fundamentals is from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. CST/11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. MT on Jan. 10, 17 and 24, 2024.

A green tractor pulls a planter to plant oats in a field

SDSU Extension Crop Hour webinar series starts in January

December 11, 2023

South Dakota State University Extension’s 2024 Crop Hour webinar series will start Jan. 9, with webinars hosted from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. CST every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for nine weeks.

Ranch family examining data on a smart phone.

Feed Costs Still a Large Percentage of the Cow Budget

Monitoring, managing, and minimizing feed costs while maintaining a balanced ration is one way to maximize profit potential in the cow herd. Learn some expert tips for creating a least-cost ration.

Best Management Practices for Reducing Dry Hay Storage Loss

When hay prices are high, proper storage is financially important. Learn some best management practices to reduce storage loss and ensure an adequate forage supply.

Cattle graze corn residue near a farmyard in late fall.

Grazing Corn Residue: An A-maize-ing Opportunity

Corn residue is an economical feed source for cattle over the winter months and can provide an extra source of income for crop producers without detrimental effects to the land.

Understanding Protein in Feed

Cattle producers are likely accustomed to seeing common abbreviations, such as CP, RDP, RUP, and MP, in relation to feedstuffs. Let's revisit what some of these abbreviations mean in relation to protein in cattle feed.

Silage pile covered with tarp and weighted down with tires.

Silage Covering and Harvest Management to Maximize Feed Value

Covering silage piles is critically important to control nutrient loss in silage, but what covering strategies result in the best-quality feed? Learn what a recent SDSU Extension research project found out.

Group of hereford heifers waiting to be fed.

Protein Nutrition and Replacement Heifer Development

With summer coming to an end and weaning for this year’s calves right around the corner, it is not premature for producers to start thinking about next year’s replacement heifers that will be needed to replace any culled or open cows.

Blank angus cattle at a concrete feed bunk.

Preconditioning Calves: Is it the right choice?

Preconditioning involves weaning calves at least 45 days in preparation to enter the stocker phase or directly into the feedlot. Learn some important tips to help determine if it's the right choice for your operation.

Mixed calves at an in-field bunk feeder.

Backgrounding at Different Rates of Gain

The purpose of backgrounding is to increase calf body weight after weaning and before finishing. A recent study investigated the effects of different backgrounding systems on growing calf performance.